Automatic loom



y 1 4 c. D. BROWN 2,318,743

AUTOMATIC LOOM Filed July 12, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l Q 03 Q: Q

l 1 Q1 t:

'INVENTOR.

CARL D. BEOWN. I

May 11, 1943. c. D. 9mm 2,313,743

AUTOMATIC LOOM Filed July 12, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. m CARL D. BEOWN.

' May 11, 1943. D. BROWN 2,318,743

AUTOMATIC LOOM Filed July 12, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. CAe L D. 580 MW.

\ ATTaeA/EX May 11, 1943.

i c. D; BROWN AUTOMATIC LOOM 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed July 12, 1941 INVENT OR.

W N N w. m m 5 m c w Patented May 11, 1943 S'ETES TEN-T OFFICE LOOM Carl D. Brown, Hopedale, Mass, assignor to Draper Corporation; Hopedale, Mia-55., a corporation of. Maine This invention relates to automatic filling re plenishing looms and more particularly relates to means'for automatically controlling the filling ends on the incoming and outgoing filling carriers. I

The usual loom of the type referred to includes a reciprocating lay, a shuttle adapted toi'h'old 'a filling carrier, and filling replenishing mechanism for automatically transferring a fresh filling care rier from a reserve carrier magazine into the shuttle whenever the supply 'of filling the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted. Such replenishing mechanism includes a device for holding the filling end of the incoming reserve carriers during and after their transfer to the shuttle. In prior commercial looms, this holder device has been of a type which required manual extension and application of the incoming filling ends thereto, a laborious, time-consuming operation for the loom tender.

A principal object of this'invention is to provide in an automatic filling replenishing loom having a reserve filling carrier magazine and mechanism for periodically transferring the reserve carriers to a shuttle, novel control means for the incoming filling end which is adapted automatically to obtain the filling end from each reserve carrier and to hold the end during and after transfer of the carrier to the shuttle, thereby obviating any manual manipulation of the reserve filling ends. Another objectis to provide such a loom wherein the magazine and transfer mechanism are of a construction particularly adapted to cooperate with said control means. A further objectis to provide operating and timing mechanism for properly coordinating the operations of said control means with the other operating parts of the loom.

After filling replenishment and picking of the 'replenished'shuttle, the incoming filling end extends from the cloth selvage to the filling end holder and a cutter is normally provided for severing these ends adjacent the selvage. Desirably, the severed ends are removed from the 100m to prevent their entanglement in the cloth or with operating parts of the 100m. An object of the invention is therefore to provide, in a loom having such a cutter, incoming filling end control means of the character above referred to which is adapted automatically to remove from the loom theincoming filling ends when severed by the cutter. A further object of the invention is to provide such control means adapted to operate in conjunction with means'for automatically removing from the loom the outgoing filling ends which extend from the cloth selvage to the outgoing filling carrier at the time of transfer.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the ensuing more particular description'and from the accompanying drawings, illustratin a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein i l is a l n V e of a art 1 hem ha filling end controlling means of the invention applied thereto, the various parts oi said'means being shown in idle position during an inteival between transfers, parts of the reserve filling carrier magazine being shownin horizontal seetion taken on the lines i of Fig. 2:

Fig. 2 is a Vertical section iew talsen approximately on the line 2 -2 of 1,"on adarg'er scale;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section view taken approximatelyon the line 3+3 of Fig. 1, on alarger scale;

Fig. i is a vertical section view taken approximately on the line .Q l' of Fig; 1', "on a large? a e; 1

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing a changed position "of some of the parts'dii'ring transfer; I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail perspectil view of a' shuttle 'boxahd of certain parts of the filling end control means illustrating a position ofth'ese parts and offfilling ends after 'a "replenished shuttle has been picked from the box;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail perspective View of the shuttle and certain otherpartsat the moment'a'f-resh filling carrier is transferred into the Shuttle;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating a position of certain parts shown in Fig. 6 preceding their position in said figure;

Fig. 9 is an end view of one of the filling end controlling parts' l In the accompanying drawings there is shown by way of example a loom that may embody the improvements of the invention and only to the fragmentary extent necessary to illustrate the construction and'operation of the said improvements and of parts that may be employed therewith to form combinations defined in the appended claims. Loom parts not shown'may be of anyv suitable usual construction and not part of the present invention.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, [0 designates the ri h an e o a f ame l? t b a beam. a d 4 the lay beam mo n ed t reciprocate toward and from the front of the loom. A Shuttle box [6 is carried at the replenishing end of the lay beam, this being at the right hand side of the loom as shown. A shuttle l8, containing the filling supply, is picked from side to side of the loom, along the lay beam 14 by picking mechanism which includes a picker stick 20. As the shuttle is picked, it lays filling thread in the shed S, which thread, after each pick, is beaten into the fell by the usual reed (not shown) to form the cloth C. When the filling supply within the shuttle is substantially exhausted, a fresh filling carrier is inserted in the shuttle by automatic filling replenishing mechanism hereinafter particularly described.

Fixed to breast beam 12 is a hopper stand 24 which supports a reserve filling carrier magazine 26 and the usual dead shaft 28 on which are mounted the transferrer 30 and various other parts hereinafter described. Transferrer 38 is rotatable on shaft 28 and is normallyheld in inoperative raised position by a spring 32 and is provided with a depending arm 33 (Fig. 2) having pivoted to its lower end at 34, the usual latch finger adapted to engage the lay at timeof transfer to operate the transferrer 30, said finger, not shown herein, being, for example, as shown in United States Patent No. 1,552,388 to Stafford The means for initiating operation of the transferrer includes a rock shaft 35 (see Fig. 4) which extends across the loom. At the opposite end of the loom from that shown in the drawings, there is provided mechanism, suitable forms of which are well known, for determining when the fillin supply in the shuttle I8 is substantially exhausted and for thereupon rocking the shaft 36 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. Fixed to the shaft 36 at the replenishing end of the loom is the usual inwardly extending arm 38 and connected forked finger 48 receiving a pin 42 (Fig. 4) on a shuttle feeler 43 of usual construction (partially shown in Figs. 6-8) which is pivoted to the loom frame, finger 48 being normally under the influence of a spring 44. On rocking of the shaft 35 in the manner above explained, finger operates upon pin 42 to move the shuttle feeler rearwardly into position for determining whether or not the shuttle is properly boxed. Rearward movement of the shuttle feeler lifts the transferrer operating latch finger into position to engage the lay, through suitable connections (not shown).

The means for removing the outgoing filling ends from the loom include the usual temple thread cutter 46 which is adapted to sever the ends at the cloth selvage, and a cutter and clamp 48 adapted to sever the filling end close to the outgoing filling carrier at the time of transfer, to clamp the remaining portion of the filling extending from the shuttle to the shed and to carry said portion forwardly away from the shuttle box. Since the cutter and clamp and its operating parts may be as shown and described in Stafford Patent No. 1,552,388 previously mentioned, and

causing filling cutting, clamping and releasing actuation of the cutter and clamp 48 during the sliding movements thereof by the arm 52.

The outgoing filling end removal means also includes a suitable suction device for removing the loose ends after cutting by the cutters and 48. The device for this purpose shown herein is similar to that shown and described in United States Patent No. 2,231,825 to Brown and includes a conduit 58 communicating with and supported from a casing 68 mounted on a bracket 62 fixed to the shaft 28. From casing 60, conduit 58 extends rearwardly under shaft 28 and terminates directly in front of the shuttle box 16, where it is closely adjacent the path of the outgoing filling end asthe end is drawn forwardly by the cutter is so indicated in the drawings hereof, detailed description thereof will be unnecessary. The

parts shown in the drawings comprise a supporting carriage 50 (Fig. 1) fixed on the shaft 28 outwardly of spring 32 and depending below said shaft, in which carriage the cutter and clamp is adapted to be slid forwardly and rearwardly by 7 and clamp 48. Means such as an electrically operated fan 64 is provided in the casing 60 for drawing air into conduit 58, thereby causing the outgoing filling end to be drawn into the open rearward end of the conduit. The air and filling ends drawn into the casing 88 through the conduit 58 are discharged through a branch conduit 68 connecting the casing 60 with a suitable receptacle Ill, which, in the instance shown, is fixed by a clamp 12 to the outer end of shaft 28.

To the mechanism so far described, which is more or less conventional with prior looms, the present invention adds novel means, now to be described, for stripping filling ends from incoming reserve bobbins, for holding said ends during and after transfer and for subsequently disposing thereof. i

The stripping device is shown as cooperating with a filling carrier of a type in common use. but it will be understood this is only by way of example. The filling carrier may comprise as shown in Fig. 1, a bobbin 14 having, at one end of the spindle, a ringed butt 16 adapted to be held by the usual clamp within the shuttle, the spindle, at the opposite end from the butt l6, tapering to a reduced portion 18. The main portion of the filling f'is wound upon the bobbin spindle between the butt 16 and the reduced tip portion 18, but an end portion of the filling f, is wound in a bunch upon the reduced tip 18, the bunch being spaced longitudinally of the bobbin spindle from the main body of filling ,f to leave an intervening tapering portion of bare or substantially bare bobbin, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The stripping device as shown is adapted to remove the filling end I from the end of each fresh carrier or bobbin 14 while the bobbin is in predetermined position ready for delivery into the shuttle, the position in which the bobbin is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, it includes a hollow, tubular member 80, of somewhat larger diameter than the reduced tip 78 of the bobbin spindle, said member being provided at one end with a cap 82, secured over a projecting rim 84 at said end of the member 80. As best shown-in Fig. 9, th interior of cap 82 is in the form of a conical cup which extends into the end of member 80 and terminates in a central aperture 88, and the cap 82, or at least the interior cupped portion thereof, are made of resilient material such as rubber. A small slot 81 extends from aperture 88 to the rim of cap 82.

The size of the aperture 86 is preferably somewhat smaller than the reduced'end portion 18 of a bobbin 74 but the resilience of the material of cap 82, at least at the edges of the aperture -86', is such as to permit the bobbin tip 18 and the .bunch of filling end 1" thereon to be forced therethrough into the member 80 to the position indicated in Fig. 1, the edges of the aperture distorting as the bobbin tip is pressed therethrough and ultimately seating tightly upon the tapered portion of the bobbin spindle, inwardly of the end portion I8, forming therewith a substantially airtight seal for the end of the member 8!! except at the slot Bl. The cup shaped interior of cap 82 thus forms a restricted throat for the member 80 and, at the edges of aperture 86, acts as a resilient clamping collar for the bobbin spindle.

The tapered construction of the bobbin spindle inwardly of the end portion I3 prevents the bunch of filling end 1" from sliding inwardly on the spindle when the cap 82 is forced thereover. However, when the cap 82 is pulled off the end of the bobbin spindle, the edges of the aperture 86, tightly gripping the spindle behind the bunched filling end f will pull the bunch off the spindle, in the event that the current of air through slot 31 produced by suction at the opposite end of member 85, as hereinafter described, has not already done so.

Means are provided for automatically moving the member 85 relative to a bobbin '54 to force the cap 82 over the end I8 of the bobbin to the position of Fig. 1 and thereafter to withdraw the cap 82 from the end I8 before the bobbin is transferred from the magazine into the shuttle. As shown in Fig. 1, the member 88 is provided upon one side with a projecting boss 88 having therein a threaded socket by means of which, and a lock nut 90, it is adjustably held upon a threaded end of a support rod 92. The opposite end of rod 92 is similarly secured to one side of a bracket member 84 pivotally mounted upon a rearward extension of the bracket 62 by means of a pivot pin 95, said bracket member 94 being provided with a boss at having a threaded socket in which an end of rod 92 is received and adjustably locked by a lock nut I09.

Fixed to the pivoted bracket member 94 and projecting therefrom toward the breast beam I2 is a pin I92 which extends through a curved slot I04 in a finger I05 fixedly connected by a bolt I68 to lever arm 52 which operates the cutter 48, and is provided with a yoke Ill] which rotatably embraces the shaft 23. Finger I06 is therefore adapted to pivot with the arm 52 about shaft 28, said arm being pivoted through connection to the shuttle feeler, previously described, counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2 when the shuttle feeler moves rearwardly and clockwise when the shuttle feeler moves forwardly. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, slot I54 extends, from an inner end adjacent shaft 28, outwardly substantially radially of shaft 28 for part of its length, then curves in an are substantially concentric with shaft 28 for the remainder of its length. The action of slot $04 of finger H36 on pin I82 and the resultant operation of member 80 will be hereinafter explained. I

Means are also provided to apply suction to the member 82 for stripping the bunch of incoming filling end J" from the end of a bobbin and to hold said end under desirable tension during and after transfer of said bobbin to the shuttle. Said means include a conduit II2 connected at one end to the member 89 opposite the cap 82 to form therewith a continuous duct and having its other end connected to a suitable suction device for withdrawing air therefrom. Said suction device may, as shown, conveniently be. the fan 64, conduit II2 being connected jointly with conduit 58 to the suction inlet of casing 60 (Fig. l). Conduit H2 is shown as made of flexible hose to permit free movement of the member '80 under the control of rod 92 and pin I02, but it may, of course, be made rigid and provided with a swivel connection to the casing 60 for the same purpose. The suction means is also adapted to cooperate with one or more thread cutters in removing the incoming filling ends from the loom, as will be hereinafter explained.

The magazine 26 may be of any suitable construction which is adapted to cooperate with the incoming filling end controlling mechanism just described. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the magazine as shown comprises a chute I20 adapted to contain a plurality of reserve bobbins in superposed relation above the lay, the lower end of said chute being curved rearwardly and terminating to the rear of and adjacent the transferrer 3B. The bobbins I4 are placed in the upper end (not shown) of the chute I20 uniformly with their butts 16 at the left and their reduced tips 73 at the right of the chute as the magazine is viewed in Fig. 1.

Immediately beneath the lower end of chute i2?) is a gate i222 supported by upwardly extending arms I24 (Fig. l) which are hinged upon a pin I25 (Figs. 2 and 5) attached to the magazine 28 at the rear of the chute I29. Also pivoted upon the pin I26 is a pair of rigidly connected fingers 228, I3il, said fingers being adapted to extend inwardly at their lower ends under the chute I28 through a space between the gate I22 and the rear wall of the chute, at the left hand side of the magazine as viewed in Fig. 1. Fingers i238, Ltd are pivoted in synchronism with the movements of the transferrer 30, to swing their lower ends out from under the chute I26 to the position indicated in Fig. 5 and then reversely to return the fingers under the chute to the position of Figs. 1 and 2, by means of a link I32 pivotally connected at one end to the fingers I28,

535 and at the other end to an arm I34 fixed to the transferrer 36 adjacent shaft 26.

With the parts in their idle position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the butt of the lowermost bobbin in the chute are is supported upon a ledge I 36 (Fig. 2) on the lower end of the finger I28, and the middle of said bobbin is supported upon a ledge 538 (Fig. l) on the lower end of the finger 335i. The bobbin last removed from the chute is in the transferring position of the bobbin shown in 1, being held in said position by the inner tip of gate I22 extending partially thereunder, by the curved forward end I403 of finger I28 which engages the bobbin butt and forces it against a complementary clamp jaw I42 (Fig. 1) attached to a stationary part of the magazine, and by the inner end of the finger I30 which engages the filling on the bobbin intermediate the bobbin ends and presses the opposite side of the bobbin against a curved guide plate I44 supported by an arm I fixed by a bracket I43 to the shaft 28 and projecting rearwardly therefrom.

At time of transfer, the transferrer 39, due to engagement of its operating dog with the advancing lay, is pivoted downwardly from its position of Fig. 2 to engage the bobbin positioned for transfer beneath it, while at the same time, link I32 pivots the fingers I28, I30 rearwardly releasing their inner ends from engagement with the bobbin. Downward pressure of the transferrer on the bobbin causes the bobbin to move downwardly forcing gate I22 to swing rearwardly permitting the bobbin to pass downwardly between its inner end and the guide plate I44 and into the shuttle I8 in shuttle box I6 which has been advanced by the lay to the position shown in Fig. 5. As the fresh bobbin is pressed into the shuttle by the transferrer, it forces the exhausted bobbin downwardly out of the shuttle, through an aperture I50 (Figs. 2 and 5) in the bottom of the shuttle box and onto a slide I52 leading to a suitable receptacle (not shown).

Further rearward movement of fingers I28, I39 removes them and the ledges I36, I38 from under the lowermost bobbin in the chute I20, permitting said bobbin to drop onto the floor of gate I22.

As the incoming bobbin passes out from between guide plate I44 and gate I22, the gate is returned to its normal position shown in the drawings by a suitable spring (not shown). Vfhen the transferrer is returned from lowermost position of Fig. 5 to uppermost position of Fig. 2, fingers I28, I38 are returned, by link I32, to position under the magazine, engaging with their inner ends the bobbin which has dropped to the gate floor in front of them and forcing said bobbin forwardly into transferring position. This movement of fingers I28, I30 brings ledges I36, I38 into supporting position under the next succeeding bobbin in the chute I20.

Prior to operation of the transferrer as above described, rearward movement of the shuttle feeler 43 by the rocking of shaft 36, causes pivoting of arm 52 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 sliding the cutter and clamp 48 to rearward position where, as shown in Fig. 'I, it passes through cooperating slots in the forward walls of shuttle box I6 and shuttle I6 (see Figs. 7 and 8) to cut and clamp the outgoing filling end, indicated at o in the drawings, between the shuttle eye and the outgoing bobbin. During the initial part of this movement of arm 52, finger I06 is pivoted from its position in Fig. 2 counterclockwise to its position shown in Fig. 5 and the pin I02 is thus caused to slide rearwardly along the inner portion of slot I04, which is substantially radial to shaft 28, and into the outer portion of said slot as indicated in Fig. 5. This rearward movement of pin I62 causes bracket 94 to pivot rapidly in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby swinging rod 92 and member 80 to the right of their position in Fig. 1 and pulling cap 82 off and beyond the end of the bobbin I4 which is about to be transferred. Throughout this movement of the member 80, fan 64 is operated to produce suction in conduit I I2 and member 80, causing a rush of air through the slot 87 in cap 82 into member 80. The incoming current of air, which circulates about the bobbin tip, will normally unwind or strip the filling end bunch J" from the bobbin tip, and carries the end portion through the member 80 into conduit. I I2 where it is held more or less taut by continued suction in conduit II2 while the bobbin is transferred to the shuttle and during the ensuing pick of the shuttle as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. Cap 32, gripping around the sides of the bobbin tip as it is withdrawn therefrom, acts to loosen the filling end bunch and carry it forwardly along the tip in case the inrushing air current has not already completely removed the bunch and thus facilitates removal of the filling end.

As the arm 52 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction from its position as shown in Fig. 5, which corresponds to a partial rearward sliding movement of the cutter and clamp 48, to its position corresponding to rearmost position of the cutter and clamp 48, finger I66 is similarly pivoted moving the outer portion of slot I04 up past pin I02 until the outer end of said slot is adjacent the pin. During this movement of the finger I06 and its ensuing return to the position of Fig. 5, pin I02, and consequently member 80, remain substantially stationary due to the fact that the outer portion of slot I04 is curved in an arc substantially concentric to the shaft 28.

Upon transfer of the fresh bobbin to the shuttle, the shuttle feeler moves forwardly turning arm 52 and finger I06 in a clockwise direction through their position of Fig. 5 and back to their idle position of Fig. 2. During the initial part of this return movement, cutter and clamp 48 moves forwardly carrying the outgoing filling end 0, which extends therefrom to the selvage of the cloth, forwardly out of the shuttle box and over the shuttle feeler, drawing it across the mouth of the conduit 58 as indicated in Fig. 8. After the shuttle feeler has been removed from the end of the shuttle box, the replenished shuttle is picked, the incoming filling end I of the newly inserted bobbin being held by suction in the conduit H2 and therefore being extended by said pick from the member to the selvage of the cloth, as indicated in Fig. 8.

By the time arm 52 and finger I06 have returned toward their idle position of Fig. 2 sufficiently to cause pin I02 to enter the inner portion of slot I 04, transferrer 30 and the moving parts of the magazine 26 have returned to their idle positions of Fig. 2 presenting a fresh reserve bobbin to the member 80 in the manner previously described. As arm 52 and finger I06 are returned from their position of Fig. 5 to their position of Fig. 2 and member 80 is thereby returned to its position of Fig. 1, cap 82 is forced over the reduced tip "I8 and filling end bunch f of this fresh bobbin, in which position it remains until the next transfer. Cutter and clamp 48 is also actuated to release the outgoing filling end 0 which is then partially drawn into the conduit 58 so that said end now extends from conduit 58 to the adjacent selvage of the cloth. On the ensuing beat up, this end 0 is cut by the thread cutter 46 and is withdrawn through conduit 58 and expelled into receptacle 10 by the continued operation of fan 64.

When the fresh bobbin is transferred to the shuttle, the end portion I, which is held by suction in the member 80, is carried down into the slot 81 which is located in the lower part of cap 82 and it remains in said slot during the ensuing pick of the replenished shuttle and while the cap is applied over a fresh bobbin tip positioned for transfer. After several picks following transfer, this filling end portion f is cut at the cloth selvage by cutter 46 and is then free to be withdrawn by the suction in conduit I I2 through slot 81 and disposed of in container 10.

While ordinarily the incoming filling end f upon cutting by the temple thread cutter 46, is drawn into conduit I I2 and is thus removed from the loom, occasionally the loose portion of said end may be caught by the suction in conduit 58 and drawn therein, leaving a portion of the end f extending between member 80 and conduit 58 as indicated in Fig. 6. In such case, suction in conduits 58 and H2, pulling substantially equally on opposite ends of the end 1, will not effect its removal from the position of Fig. 6 into the receptacle I0. While the end 1, in the position of Fig. 6, is held against flying into the cloth or entanglement with the loom parts, its removal before completion of the next replenishment operation is desirable, as it may otherwise interfere with proper disposal of the succeeding filling ends.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 6, there is pivotally connected to a stud 38 forming part of transferrer 38 a holder I68 extending forwardly from the transferrer between the member 88 and conduit 58 and having fixed to the forward end thereof a vertically extending knife blade I62 having a sharpened lower edge. A spring I64 (Fig. 3) connected at opposite ends to the holder I68 and transferrer 38 urges holder I68 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 against a suitable stop (not shown). Secured to the forward side of shuttle box I6 is a horizontally disposed plate I66, said plate being positioned to underlie the blade I62 during transfer operation of transferrer 30. Plate I66 is also positioned to encounter a portion of the filling end i located as in Fig. 6 as the lay moves forward to transfer position, a portion of the end I then lying upon the surface of the plate, extending from front to rear of the plate as indicated in Fig. 6. As the transferrer 88 is moved to its lowered position of Fig. 5, knife blade I62 strikes upon plate I66 severing the portion of a filling end 1" lying on the plate. The two severed parts of the filling end i may then be drawn separately into the conduit 58 and conduit I I2 by the suction in said conduits and thus removed to the receptacle 18.

Holder I60 is slidable as well as pivotal on the transferrer stud 38' and is provided with a cam I68 adapted to engage with a fixed cam I69 on the stud to cause holder I68 to slide along the stud as it is pivoted thereon. As a consequence, knife blade I62 has a wiping action upon plate I66 which facilitates cutting of the thread.

A filling end I which is caught in conduit 58 in the manner of Fig. 6 is drawn by the suction in conduit 58 into a longitudinal slot 66 provided in the upper surface of said conduit, and into an enlarged hooked end portion 61 of said slot. Slot 66 and hooked portion 61 serve to prevent the end f from being withdrawn from conduit 58 by the suction of the lay after the suction in conduit 58 is shut off.

For proper operation of the filling end controlling apparatus as above described, suction should be continuousl maintained in the conduits 58 and H2 throughout the period of shuttle replenishment and for several picks thereafter and consequently fan 64 should be continuously operated throughout said interval. Operation of the fan between said intervals is, however, undesirable as the continued suction in tube "2 would whip and fray the incoming end f' and would be liable to break it off, preventing the necessary holding of this end at the ensuing transfer. To effect automatic operation of fan 64 only during the intervals above mentioned, there is provided the novel, simple control means shown'in Fig. 4 and now to be described.

As previously stated, fan 64 i operated by an electric motor, which motor (not shown) mas be conveniently housed in the upper part of the casing 68. One lead of the electric operating circuit extends direct to the fan motor and is not shown. The other lead comprises a wire I18 connected at one end to the current source and at the other end to one contact I12 of a mercury switch I14, (Fig. 4) and a wire I16 connecting the other contact I18 of said switch to the fan motorx Switch I14 includes a generally rectangular casing l88 within which is housed tube I82 containing the contacts I12 and I18 and a limited quantity of mercury I84. Casing I88 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket I86 connected to loom frame I8 below the breast beam I2 adjacent the forked finger 48. Connected to casing I88, at one side of its pivot, is one end of a link I88, the other end of said link being connected to finger 48. Within tube I82 is fixed a second tube I92 of electrically conducting material. Tube I92 has an open end into which one of the spaced switch contacts, contact I12, extends, said contact being normally insulated from tube I92. The other contact I18 is connected in' electrically conducting relation to the tube I92. The opposite end of tube I92 is closed except for a small opening I94.

As the parts are shown in Fig. 4, finger 48 is in idle position corresponding to a period of loom operation between intervals of transfer and switch I14 is in open position, mercury I84 being located in the end of tube I82 remote from contact I12, being partly inside and partly outside tube I82. When shaft 36 is rocked raising finger 48 in response to indication of weft exhaustion, casing I88 is pivoted by link I88 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 causing the mercury I84 to fioW directly to the opposite end of tube I82, both inside and outside tube I92, thus immediately electrically connecting contacts I12 and I18 and closing the operating circuit to fan I64. As shaft 36 and finger 48 return to idle position after transfer, casing I88 is pivoted back to its position of Fig. 4. During this movement of casing I88, mercury I 84 is caused by gravity to flow into the open end of tube I92 toward its opposite end where some of the mercury escapes slowly from the tube I92 through the restricted opening I84 eventually reducing the level of mercury within tube I92 below the free end of contact I12 thus breaking the electric connection between contact I12 and tube I92 and opening the operating circuit to the fan motor. The time required for suflicient'mercury to flow out of opening I84 to break the electric connection between contact I12 and tube I82 represents a delayed circuit opening action of the switch I14 corresponding to the desired interval of continued operation of fan 64 after finger 48 has returned to idle position following a transfer.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

I 1. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip, of means for stripping said coiled end portion of the filling from the bobbin including a tubular member adapted toreceive said bobbin'tip in an end thereof, a resilient cup at said end of said member provided with an aperture therethrough, said cup, at the edges of said aperture, dist'ortableto permit passage of said tip and coiled filling end through said aperture into said member and adapted to seat tightly about 'a portion'of the bobbin behind said coiled filling end, andfmeans for relatively reciprocating said member and said bobbin to dispose the bobbin tip and coiled filling end through said aperture and within said member and to withdraw said member and said cup from said tip.

2. In an automatic filling replenishing-loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip, of means for stripping said coiled'end portion of the filling from the bobbin including a conduit, means for relatively moving said conduit and said bobbin to present an end of said conduit to the bobbin tip and said coiled filling portion thereon and to withdraw said conduit end away from said tip, resilient means adapted to clamp about the bobbin behind said coiled filling portion to withdraw said filling portion from said tip when the con duit end is withdrawn therefrom for drawing air into said conduit end while it is being withdrawn from the bobbin tip.

3. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip, of means for stripping said coiled end portion of the filling from the bobbin including a tubular member adapted to receive said bobbin tip in an end thereof, a resilient collar at said end of said member distortable to permit passage of said bobbin. tip and coiled filling end therethrough into said member and adapted to seat substantially continuously around th bobbin behind said coiled end portion, means for relatively reciprocating said member and said bobbin to dispose the bobbin tip and coiled filling end thereon through said collar and within said member and to withdraw said member and said collar from said tip, and means for drawing air into said end of said member along said tip while said member and said collar are withdrawn from said tip.

4. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof bunched at the tip of the bobbin, of means for removing said filling bunch from said bobbin including a tubular member mounted adjacent said supporting means, means for relatively reciprocating said member and said bobbin to dispose the tip of said bobbin and bunched filling end portion thereon within an end of said member and to withdraw said member from said tip, resilient clamping means at said end of said member adapted to close upon the bobbin behind the bunched filling end portion disposed within said member to withdraw said filling portion from said tip when said member is withdrawn therefrom and to form a restricted opening into said member along said tip, and means for drawing air into said member through said restricted opening.

5. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof bunched at the tip of the bobbin and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said bunched filling end from said tip including a tubular member, forming a suction end of said pneumatic means, mounted adjacent said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip therein, means for relatively reciprocally moving said member and said bobbin to dispose the tip of said bobbin within said member and to withdraw said member from said tip, and resilient means on said member adapted to cooperate with a surface of the bobbin when disposed in said member to form a restricted passage for air into said member along said tip behind said bunched filling portion.

6. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof bunched at the tip of the bobbin and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said bunched filling end from said tip including a tubular member, forming a suction end of said.

pneumatic means, mounted adjacent said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip therein, means for relatively reciprocally moving said member and said bobbin to dispose the tip of said bobbin within said member and to withdraw said member from said tip, and resilient cup means on said member having an aperture therein forming a restricted passage for said tip therethrough into said member, said cup means adapted to clamp tightly substantially completely around the sides of said tip disposed therein.

7. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a. bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof bunched at the tip of the bobbin and pneumatic suction producing means for bolding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said bunched filling end from said tip including a tubular member, forming a suction end of said pneumatic means, mounted adjacent said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip therein, means for relatively reciprocally moving said member and said bobbin to dispose the tip of said bobbin within an end of said member and to withdraw said member from said tip, a resilient collar on said end of said member distortable to permit passage of said bobbin tip and bunched filling end therethrough into said member and adapted to clamp about a portion of the bobbin behind said bunched filling end disposed within said member, and means for operating said pneumatic means while said collar is clamped about the bobbin behind said bunched filling end portion.

8. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling and projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said coiled filling end from said bobbin tip under the control of said pneumatic means comprising a tubular member'forming a suction end of said pneumatic means movably mounted adjacent the tip of said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip in an end thereof, means for reciprocally moving said member longitudinally of said bobbin to dispose the bobbin tip within said member andto withdraw said member from said tip, and means for operating said pneumatic means to drawair into said end of said member along said tip while said tip is disposed within said member.

9. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip and bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbintip in an end thereof, means for reciprocally moving said member longitudinally of said bobbin to project the member over and to withdraw it from said bobbin tip, a resilient collar at saidend of said member forming a restricted passage therein for said-bobbin tip and adapted to yieldably engage the sides of the bobbin behind the coiled filling end on the tip disposed within said member, and means for operating said pneumatic means while said member is withdrawn from said tip.

10. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said coiled filling end from said bobbin tip under the control of said pneumatic means comprising a tubular member forming a suction end of said pneumatic means movably mounted adjacent the tip of said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip in an end thereof, means for reciprocally moving said member longitudinally of said bobbin to project the member over and to withdraw it from said bobbin tip, resilient collar means at said end of said member engageable about the bobbin behind said coiled filling end portion when the member is projected over said tip to withdraw said coiled end portion from said tip with said member, and means for operating said pneumatic means while said bobbin tip is positioned within said member.

11. In an automatic filling replenishing loom, the combination with means for supporting a bobbin carrying a supply of filling with an end portion thereof coiled on the bobbin tip and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a bobbin, of means for removing said coiled filling end from said bobbin tip under the control of said pneumatic means comprising a tubular member forming a suction end of said pneumatic means movably mounted adjacent the tip of said bobbin and adapted to receive said bobbin tip in an end thereof, means for reciprocally moving said member longitudinally of said bobbin to present the member to and to withdraw it away from said bobbin tip, and a resilient collar at said end of said member distortable to permit passage of said coiled filling end therethrough within said member and adapted to seat tightly around a portion of the bobbin behind said coiled filling end to withdraw said coiled filling end portion from said tip with said member.

12. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and adapted to position said bobbins successively for transfer into a shuttle, transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said position into a shuttle, pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a said bobbin, and cutter means for severing said filling between said end and the adjacent selvage of the cloth after transfer of said bobbin to the shuttle and picking of the replenished shuttle, the combination of means cooperating with said pneumatic means to strip into a suction end of said pneumatic means a filling end from a bobbin positioned by said magazine for transfer into said shuttle, and means for operating said pneumatic suction producing means to hold and tension said filling end during transfer of said bobbin to the shuttle and until said filling is severed by said cutting means and to thereupon remove said severed filling end portion from the loom.

13. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having aymagazine for holding a plurality 'of bobbins carrying a supply of filling with an .end

portion thereof bunched adjacent the bob-bin tip and adapted to position said bobbins succestively for transfer into a shuttle, transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said'position into a shuttle, pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a said bobbin, and cutter means for severing said filling between said end and the adjacent selvage of the cloth after transfer of said bobbin to the shuttle and picking of the replenished shuttle, the combination of a tubular member forming a suction end of said pneumatic means and adapted to receive the tip of a said bobbin therein, means for relatively reciprocally moving said member and a said bobbin positioned for transfer to project the member over and to withdraw it from said tip, and means for operating said pneumatic means during and after a said reciprocal movement of said member relative to said bobbin to cooperate with said member to strip the bunched filling end from the bobbin into said member, to hold and tension said filling end during transfer of said bobbin to the shuttle and until said filling is severed by said cutting means and to thereupon remove said severed filling end portion from the loom.

14. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and adapted to position said bobbins successively for transfer into a shuttle, transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said position into a shuttle, and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a said bobbin, the combination of stripper I means at a suction end of said pneumatic means adapted to be projected over and withdrawn from the tip of a said bobbin positioned for transfer by said magazine to cooperate with the suction of said pneumatic suction producing means to strip the filling end from said bobbin into said end of said pneumatic suction producing means, and means operative on each actuation of said transfer means and magazine to withdraw said stripper means from the tip of a said positioned bobbin prior to delivery of said bobbin from said position into the shuttle by the transfer means and for projecting said means over the tip of the next succeeding bobbin positioned for transfer by said magazine.

15. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and adapted to position said bobbins successively for transfer into a shuttle, transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said position into a shuttle,.

ate with the suction of said pneumatic suction' producing means to strip the filling end from said bobbin into said end of said pneumatic suction producing means, and means operative at times of actuation of said transfer means and magazine to withdraw said stripper means from said path prior to delivery of a bobbin from said position by the transfer means and to return said stripper means into said path after the next succeeding bobbin is positioned for transfer by said magazine. 7

16. In an automobile filling replenishing'loom having a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and adapted to position said bobbins successively for transfer into a shuttle, transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said position into a shuttle, and pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a said bobbin, the combination of a conduit forming a suction end of said pneumatic means adapted to be projected over and to be withdrawn from the tip of a said bobbin positioned for transfer by said magazine to permit the suction of said pneiunatic suction producing means to strip the filling end from said bobbin into said conduit, and means operative at times of actuation of said transfer means and magazine to Withdraw said conduit from the tip of a said bobbin prior to delivery of said bobbin from said position by the transfer means and to project said conduit over the tip of the next succeeding bobbin positioned for transfer by said magazine.

17. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having replenishing mechanism which includes a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and adapted to position said bobbins successively for transfer into a shuttle and transfer means adapted to deliver said bobbins from said position into a shuttle, said loom also having electrically operated pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end projecting from a said bobbin, the combination of an electric circuit for supplying electric energy to said electrically operated pneumatic means, and means for closing said circuit on actuation of the replenishing mechanism and for opening said circuit after a predetermined interval following actuation of said mechanism, said means comprising a switch containing a fluid adapted to fiow to and from a position closing said circuit on reciprocally tilting said switch between predetermined positions, means operable by a moving part of the loom on operation of said replenishing mechanism to reciprocally tilt said switch between said predetermined positions during actuation of the replenishing mechanism, and means in said switch to retard the flow of said fluid from circuit closing position relative to its flow to circuit closing position on tilting of said switch between said predetermined positions.

18. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having replenishing mechanism including amagazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and transfer means adapted to deliver a said bobbin into a shuttle to displace a bobbin of substantially exhausted filling supply therefrom, pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end portion projecting from an incoming bobbin during transfer of said bobbin to a shuttle and for a predetermined number of picks of the shuttle thereafter, and cutter means for severing said filling end portion adjacent the selvage of the cloth within said predetermined number of picks after transfer, the combination therewith of means including a second pneumatic means cooperating with said cutter means to remove from the loom a filling end portion extending from the cloth selvage to the outgoing bobbin at time of transfer, said second pneumatic means being so arranged and operated as incidentally to catch and hold a said incoming filling end portion after cutting of said portion by said cuttermeansi to provide an exposed length of filling extending between said first and second named pneumatic means, and means for thereafter automatically severing said exposed filling length during an interval of simultaneous operation of both said pneumatic means.

19. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having replenishing mechanism including a magazine for holding a plurality of bobbins carrying a supply of filling and transfer means adapted to deliver a said bobbin into a shuttle to displace a bobbin of substantially exhausted filling supply therefrom, pneumatic suction producing means for holding and tensioning a filling end portion projecting from an incoming bobbin during transfer of said bobbin to a shuttle and for a predetermined number of picks of the shuttle thereafter, and cutter means for severing said filling end portion adjacent the selvage of the cloth within said predetermined number of picks after transfer, the combination therewith of means including a second pneumatic means cooperating with said cutter means to remove from the loom a filling end portion extending from the cloth selvage to the outgoing bobbin at time of transfer, said second pneumatic means being so arranged and operated as incidentally to catch and hold a said incoming filling end portion after cutting of said portion by said cutter means to provide an exposed length of filling extending between said first and second named pneumatic means, and means operative on an ensuing actuation of said replenishing mechanism to sever said exposed filling length.

20. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having replenishing mechanism adapted periodically to replace in a shuttle a bobbin of substantially exhausted filling supply with a reserve bobbin carrying a fresh filling supply, and filling end controlling means including a suction tube adapted to receive and hold an incoming filling end projecting from a reserve bobbin at time of operation of said replenishing mechanism, and a second suction tube adapted to receive and hold an outgoing filling end extending from the cloth selvage to adjacent the bobbin of exhausted filling supply at time of transfer, said second suction tube adapted also to catch and hold a portion of filling held at the opposite end by said first suction tube to provide a length of filling extending between said tubes, the combination therewith of a plate member adapted to receive a portion of said filling length upon a surface thereof during actuation of said replenishing mechanism, and knife means carried by a movable part of said replenishing mechanism and adapted to strike upon said surface of said plate member on actuation of said replenishing mechanism to sever said filling length between said tubes.

21. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a support for a bobbin carrying a supply of filling and means to transfer the bobbin from the support to a shuttle, means for pneumatically withdrawing an end portion of said filling from the bobbin before transfer of the latter and for tensioning said end portion during subsequent loom operations, means for severing said filling end portion at the selvage after a predetermined number of picks, a second pneumatic means for holding the severed end of said filling end portion, and means for parting said filling end portion between the said pneumatic means.

22. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a support for a bobbin carrying a supply of filling and means for transferring the bobbin from the support to a shuttle, pneumatic suction producing means for holding an end portion of said filling after transfer of said bobbin and during subsequent operations of the loom, means for severing said filling end portion at the selvage after a predetermined number of picks, a second pneumatic means for holding the severed end of said filling end portion, and means for parting said filling end portion between the said pneumatic means.

23. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a support for a bobbin carrying a supply of filling, filling end displacing means reciprocable into and out of engagement with a bobbin tip and pneumatic suction producing means cooperating with and operating in timed relation to said first mentioned means for withdrawing an end portion of said filling from said bobbin and for holding and tensioning said end portion during subsequent operations of the loom, an electric means for controlling the operations of the said pneumatic means, and a switch in said electric means arranged to effect operation of said pneumatic means in sequence with predetermined operations of the loom.

24. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a support for a bobbin carrying a supply of filling, means arranged to move into engagement with a bobbin tip and pneumatic suction producing means operated in timed relation to said first mentioned means for withdrawing an end portion of said filling from said bobbin upon engagement of said first mentioned means therewith.

25. In an automatic filling replenishing loom having a support for a bobbin carrying a supply of filling, means reciprocally engaging with and disengaging from a bobbin tip to withdraw an end portion of said filling therefrom, and pneumatic suction producing means operating in timed relation to said first mentioned means for holding and tensioning said end portion during subsequent operations of the loom.

CARL D. BROWN. 

